Independent 20170816-readme.ng

B8
Education
/<strong>Independent</strong>ngr @independentngr www.independent.ng
INDEPENDENT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2017
FG Urges ASUU To Suspend Strike
As the Federal Government
yesterday
urged the Academic
Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU), to suspend
its 24 hours old strike in the
interest of the nation, the
unions in some Federal and
state Universities have complied
with the directive of
the president of the union.
Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister
of Labour and Employment,
who made the appeal
in a statement signed by
the Deputy Director, Press
in the Ministry, Samuel
Olowookere, said there was
an on-going renegotiation of
the 2009 agreement between
the Federal Government and
ASUU by the Babalakin Committee
which the Federal
• Compliance Increases As UNIUYO, LASU, TSU Others Join Strike
Government set up on Monday
13thFebruary 2017, and
which is already addressing
the issues raised by ASUU.
According to the statement;
“It is important to note
that ASUU did not follow due
process in the declaration of
the industrial action as it did
not give the Federal Government,
the mandatory 15 days’
notice as contained in the
Section 41 of Trade Disputes
Act, Cap T8, 2004.
“In fact, it was on Monday
14th August, 2017 that the Office
of the Minister received
a letter dated 13th August,
2017 from ASUU, that is, one
full day after it commenced
the strike.”
It further noted that the
letter was to inform the Federal
Government that ASUU
has started strike and not a
declaration of intention to
go on strike as contained in
the Trade Dispute Act, 2004.
The Minister further said
that since the case was being
conciliated, it was against
the spirit of Social Dialogue
and Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA) for ASUU
to embark on strike as enunciated
in the ILO Convention.
Meanwhile, the UNIUYO
ASUU has explained that decision
to join the nationwide
indefinite strike was due to
federal government’s consistent
failure to honour its
agreements with the union.
Speaking through the
institution’s branch Chairman
of the Association, Dr
Aniekan Brown, the union
explained that the industrial
action follows several pleas
and warnings to the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
The union regretted that
Nigeria is probably the only
country in the world where
the government spends more
money on propaganda than
on the education of its citizenry.
In the same vein, the Taraba
State University chapter
of the union has instructed
its members to boycott lecture
rooms and comply with
the directives of its national
body.
Comrade Reuben Jonathan,
TSU-ASUU chairperson
in an interview with IN-
DEPENDENT disclosed that
compliance would be total at
the university.
Also Dr Isaac Oyewunmi,
ASUU LASU Chairman, told
INDEPENDENT that compliance
was not optional, saying
that it was a collective
agreement and compliance
would be total as directed
by the national body of the
union.
Day Kinsmen Honoured UNIUYO Registrar
IDONGESIT ASHAMERI
UYO
It was indeed a grand honour
as the people of Nsit Ibom Local
Government Area of Akwa
Ibom State rolled out drums to
celebrate one of their illustrious
sons, Mr Aniediabasi Udofia, the
Registrar of the University of
Uyo, in a grand reception.
Udofia, who assumed office
as Registrar of the institution in
2016, is captured on record as the
third indigene of the area to have
served the University in such capacity,
and therefore considered
one of the worthy ambassadors
of Nsit Ibom.
The grand reception which
attracted the academic, professional
and traditional communities
across the state and beyond,
also featured presentations of
awards of honour to the Registrar,
unanimously agreed to be
an illustrious son of the area, the
immediate past registrar, Mrs
Edak Umondak, an indigene and
a posthumous award to a onetime
Registrar from the area, Mr Dickson
Mkpongoyong.
The honour of such rare
grand reception, as enunciated
throughout the goodwill messages
presented at the occasion was
largely motivated by Udofia’s
track record of integrity, hard
work and professionalism.
His citation as presented on the
occasion by Dr Daniel Udoh indicated
that Udofia had his Nigeria
Certificate in Education (NCE) in
1988 from the University Of Cross
River State, a degree in Political
Science Education, Master’s degrees
(M.Sc.), Educational Technology
and M.Sc, International
Relations from the University of
Uyo.
A record of his professional
experience further indicated that
Udofia has steadily and resourcefully
gone through virtually every
cadre of educational administration
as he began his career journey
as a class teacher in 1991 as
Youth Corps member.
Udofia
He was enlisted into the services
of the University of Uyo in
1993 as Administrative officer II.
He resourcefully rose to the position
of an Assistant Registrar
and further to the rank of Senior
Registrar with responsibilities in
the University Publications Unit.
He was later posted to the Directorate
of Personnel Affairs where
he headed the Senior Administrative
and Technical Staff as well
as Academic Staff Establishment
Units as a Principal Assistant
Registrar.
Having traversed all the various
administrative units, departments
and faculties of the institution,
Udofia in 2010 in search
of further challenges he moved
to Federal University of Agriculture,
Abeokuta, where he worked
in the Senate and Admissions
from 2012 until his posting to the
postgraduate school of same institution
as the school’s Secretary.
Udofia, a husband and father
of five is also a member of several
professional bodies. He is a fellow,
Chartered Institute of Public
Management in Nigeria, member,
Nigeria Institute of Management
(Chartered), and member, Association
of University Administrators.
Also to his credit are
awards and formal appreciation
and recognitions on the course of
his administrative career.
Addressing the grand reception,
the Vice Chancellor of the
University of Uyo, Prof Enefiok
Essien (SAN) who corroborated
the professional prowess of the
Registrar, acknowledged that Nsit
Ibom has so far produced three
Registrars for the University of
Uyo.
He aligned with the general
notion that the area is blessed
with intelligent and dependable
administrators.
He applauded as welcome development,
the decision by Nsit
Ibom people to honour their own
and charged the generality of
Akwa Ibom people to emulate
same.
The Vice Chancellor, however,
advised Udofia to continue to position
himself creditably as the
people of the area will constantly
look up to him as ambassador
and inspiration to younger generation.
In his remarks, the well celebrated
and generally admired
Registrar of the University of
Uyo, Mr Aniediabasi Udofia appreciated
his kinsmen for the honour
done him, but also seized the
opportunity to address youths of
his Local Government Area and
indeed youths across the country
on the need to adopt an enduring
approach to life.
Udofia who attributed challenges
facing Nigeria today to
wrong approaches to life by the
youths used the occasion to caution
Nigerian youths against
uncontrolled materialistic spirit,
with its associated quest for
speedy achievements, if the society
must achieve the desired level
of sanity.
Udofia said youths must devote
time to secure an enduring
future for themselves through
study, hard work, integrity and
perseverance.
He reiterated that the quest to
acquire everything life has to offer
overnight, has plunged many
youths into life courses which
may ultimately ruin their future.
He, therefore, called on the
elders to guide the youths aright
by directing them through a life
course of hard work, integrity
and patient.
His words; “Nigeria is in trouble
today because our youths are
not getting it right. Life is not all
about money, so struggling to
acquire everything overnight is
not just right. A materialistic lifestyle
does not guarantee a bright
future. Our elders should guide
the youths aright”.
He paid glowing tributes to the
Vice Chancellor of the University
of Uyo, Prof Enefiok Essien
(SAN) for his accommodating
disposition; his elder brother, Mr
Godfred Essien for sacrificing his
shoulders to enable him attain a
comfortable balance; and the Nsit
Ibom Professionals Association
for finding him illustrious and
worthy of such motivating honour.
In his goodwill message, the
president, Nsit Ibom Professionals
Association (NIPA), Prince
Ime Obot attributed the honour
to Udofia’s personality, integrity
and professional track record.
He, therefore, assured that
professionals from the area will
continue to identify with the Registrar
as they trust his enduring
stamina to deliver excellent services.
Old Boys Donate
Computer
Centre To SPCC
Aghalokpe
As part of activities marking
its 35th reunion anniversary,
the 1982 set of St. Peter
Claver’s College (SPCC)
Aghalokpe, in Delta State is
set to give back to its Alma
Mater by constructing a fully-equipped
computer center
in the school.
Dr. Felix Ekpo, Chairman
of the organising committee
at a meeting at Kayriot hotel
in Warri, disclosed that the
string of activities lined up
for the celebration will take
place between Friday 18 and
Sunday 20 August, 2017 in
Warri and Aghalokpe respectively.
According to him, this is
the second time the ’82 set
would be having a reunion,
having held its maiden edition
in 2007.
Ekpo also said that this
year’s reunion is special because
of its inclusive nature
and international flavour.
“Members of our set are
coming in from three continents
for this great event.
They are coming in from the
United States, Canada and
the United Kingdom for this
reunion. It’s an august occasion
holding in August, and a
time to recall fond memories
of our school days as well as
give back to our alma mater,”
Ekpo said.
Ekpo also disclosed that
works on the proposed computer
center had started,
adding that the foundation
stone-laying ceremony will
take place on Saturday, 19 August
2017 under the watchful
eyes of the President- General
of the SPCC Aghalokpe
Old Boys Association,
Professor Patrick Igbigbi of
Delta State University and
the spiritual guidance of the
school principal, Rev. Father
Christopher Ogaga.